Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-08-15

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You have enrolled in an evening course but you have found that you are too busy to continue and would like to take the course next term instead.

• explain the situation and why you cannot continue the course

• say what you would like to do about your studies

• ask for advice about what you can do about the situation

Student answer (Band 7.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to request a deferral to next term for my evening course that I recently enrolled in your university. I was really excited to join classes next month. But suddenly, an unforeseen family emergency has come up. Therefore, I will not be able to continue.

Actually, my father has been transferred to another city for next few months as he serves in the military. His job placements change frequently. My whole family is moving next month. I am unable to handle everything on my own, so I cannot stay alone at home.

I have been interested in Graphics for many years. Unfortunately, due to financial conditions I could not take the course. It closely aligns with my current job as a visual presenter at an IT software company. Hence, it is a great opportunity for me to improve my skills and grow professionally.

Your suggestion would be appreciated on what I should do to hold my seat for the next term. What criteria should I follow and what documents are needed to enroll in next term course?

I hope you understand. I look forward to a prompt response from you.

Yours sincerely,

Raman

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response successfully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly explain the situation regarding your family move, state your desire to defer the course, and ask relevant questions about the procedure for next term. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter. The ideas are well-developed, and the purpose of the letter is clear from the beginning. To reach a higher band, ensure that the explanation of why you cannot continue is more concise, as the third paragraph regarding your interest in Graphics is slightly tangential to the primary goal of requesting a deferral due to the move.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose, moving from the situation to the request and finally to the administrative inquiry. You use cohesive devices such as 'Therefore', 'Actually', and 'Hence' to link your ideas effectively. The paragraphing is appropriate for a formal letter. To improve, ensure that the transition between your personal situation and your professional interest in the course is smoother, as the shift in the third paragraph feels slightly abrupt.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your message with precision. Phrases like 'unforeseen family emergency', 'closely aligns', and 'grow professionally' are used correctly and appropriately for the context. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. To move into the higher bands, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items to show greater flexibility, though the current range is adequate for a Band 7.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with generally good control. Most sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used effectively to support meaning. There are minor slips, such as 'next few months' (missing 'the') and 'next term course' (missing 'the' or 'a'). These errors are infrequent and do not cause any difficulty for the reader. The grammatical control is consistent throughout the letter, reflecting a solid grasp of English sentence construction.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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